Just seen a Ferrari tweet and picture where they are celebrating Jules Bianchi's new drive, quite right too that they should be happy and celebrate with him. However I wonder now that he is an F1 race driver if there is any further he can go with the Ferrari driver academy or if Ferrari were seriously considering him as a possibility for the future?

Just seen a Ferrari tweet and picture where they are celebrating Jules Bianchi's new drive, quite right too that they should be happy and celebrate with him. However I wonder now that he is an F1 race driver if there is any further he can go with the Ferrari driver academy or if Ferrari were seriously considering him as a possibility for the future?

I honestly think they are lining him up for a future drive, maybe not for another 3 or so years but i get the impression he's being groomed as a Felipe version 2.0. Might sound a little harsh on both but he appears to be pretty quick, quick enough, although he needs to prove that in F1 but because Ferrari have supported him for so long (just as with Felipe) he'll be grateful to them and maybe more willing to be, shall we say, "manipulated" if the need were to arise...

I honestly think they are lining him up for a future drive, maybe not for another 3 or so years but i get the impression he's being groomed as a Felipe version 2.0. Might sound a little harsh on both but he appears to be pretty quick, quick enough, although he needs to prove that in F1 but because Ferrari have supported him for so long (just as with Felipe) he'll be grateful to them and maybe more willing to be, shall we say, "manipulated" if the need were to arise...

I can see him doing 1 (2013) or 2 (13-14) seasons at Marussia. Then another 1 (14 or 15) or 2 (14-15 or 15-16) at Sauber — assuming they will stick with Ferrari power for the foreseeable future — and then be deemed ready for the big time (16). In then mean time, Ferrari will likely need someone to replace Massa. Hülkenberg is rumored. And by the time Bianchi is ready, Alonso's contract, which runs through 2016, will have ended.

I can see him doing 1 (2013) or 2 (13-14) seasons at Marussia. Then another 1 (14 or 15) or 2 (14-15 or 15-16) at Sauber — assuming they will stick with Ferrari power for the foreseeable future — and then be deemed ready for the big time (16). In then mean time, Ferrari will likely need someone to replace Massa. Hülkenberg is rumored. And by the time Bianchi is ready, Alonso's contract, which runs through 2016, will have ended.

I think Alonso has an option for 2017. And after that they will probably go for someone who is currently quite successfully driving for a drinks company. But we are getting a bit off topic for 2013.

I don't think he should need funding anymore. His ultra-fast qualifying pace proves that in my opinion.

Hulkenburg was more than fast enough to "deserve" his Williams seat without funding but we all know what happened there. If Chavez kicks the preverbal and it has an impact on the funding available Pastor's seat will be at risk, maybe not for 2013 but definitely for 2014.

what if chavez died in short time would have maldonado funds for racing? maybe his place will be vacated

Chavez is seriously ill and probably won't last long. But so what? His deputy is already running the country and will go on doing so. PDVSA are sponsoring Pastor - why should they stop now their boy is making his name and winning GPs?

Even if the Chavez government falls, national pride will still continue and the oil will still be flowing so why would they stop supporting Pastor?